Jersey

Global sanctions guide

Yes, the Ministry for External Relations, in conjunction with the Minister, co-ordinates the introduction of sanctions measures and relevant sanctions legislation.

Sanctions which are in effect generally apply to:

any person located in Jersey

any entity operating in Jersey

any entity incorporated or constituted under Jersey law

Does Jersey implement UN sanctions?

As Jersey is not a member of the UN or the EU, UN sanctions do not directly apply to Jersey. However, as Jersey is a crown dependency of the UK, both EU and UN sanctions regimes have been substantially implemented and are observed in Jersey pursuant to orders and regulations made under domestic legislation such as the European Union Legislation (Implementation) (Jersey) Law 2014, as amended, and the United Nations Financial Sanctions (Jersey) Law 2017.

Does Jersey implement an autonomous sanctions regime?

Yes. In addition to the sanctions implemented by the UN and EU, Jersey has an autonomous terrorist sanctions regime and has powers over the regulated sector under the Terrorism (Jersey) Law 2002 and related legislation, such as the Terrorist Asset-Freezing (Jersey) Law 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering and Weapons Development (Directions) (Jersey) Law 2012, as amended.

bans on exporting equipment that might be used for internal repression

export controls

asset freezes and financial sanctions on designated individuals and entities

travel bans on named individuals

bans on imports of raw materials or goods from the sanctions target

In general terms, it is a criminal offence to:

deal with funds or economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by a designated person, if it is known, or if you have reasonable cause to suspect, that you are dealing with such funds or economic resources

make funds available to, or for the benefit of, a Designated person if it is known, or if you have reasonable cause to suspect, that you are making funds so available

make economic funds available to, or for the benefit of, a Designated person if it is known, or if you have reasonable cause to suspect, that you are making economic resources so available and, in the case of making economic resources available to a designated person, that the Designated person would be likely to exchange the economic resources, or use them in exchange, for funds, goods or services

Does Jersey maintain a list of sanctioned individuals and entities?

Yes. The Jersey Financial Services Commission website displays a list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions with a direct link to the UK government consolidated list of sanctions targets. This list comprises all individuals and entities that have been designated by the UN, the EU and the UK (currently, around 2,000 designated individuals and entities).

Yes. All sanctions-related license applications, notifications and authorizations are handled by the Ministry for External Relations.

What are the consequences for a breach of sanctions in Jersey?

It is a criminal offence to breach an obligation under a relevant sanctions measure without an appropriate license or authorization. The penalties for breaching sanctions can vary across the various regimes. However, in general terms, any individual found guilty of an offence shall be liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment or both.

Entities acting in breach of financial sanctions can also commit a criminal offence and be liable to an unlimited fine. Where an offence has been committed by a limited partnership or a corporate body and is proven to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or neglect on the part of, a partner of the partnership or a director, manager, secretary or similar officer of the body corporate (or any individual purporting to act in any such capacity) that individual is guilty of an offence (as well as the partnership or body corporate) and may be proceeded against accordingly. On conviction, an entity is liable to a fine and an individual is liable to a fine or imprisonment or both.

Who are the relevant regulators in Jersey and what are their contact details?

The Jersey Financial Services Commission has overall regulatory responsibility for ensuring that the finance industry complies with sanctions orders. The commission now publishes sanctions guidance on its website to raise awareness and understanding of sanctions matters.

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